We read of two special people who identified with Paul in his profession. Aquila and Priscilla had a great part to play in the life of Paul. Although we find very little mentioned about them in the Bible, their lives and their ministry are very valuable lessons for each of us. Paul beautifully testifies of the them in Romans 16:3,4
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Think about their ministry and the impact they had not just on Paul but on also all the churches of the Gentiles! We read further in 1 Cor. 16:19 that they had a church in their house.
However its worthy to trace down their beginnings. In Acts 18 we read briefly about their interactions with Paul. In the first few verses of the chapter we see them together tent-making. Later down from verse 18 we see them going with Paul to Ephesus. And then in the close of the chapter in verse 26 we see them teaching and instructing Apollos more perfectly in the way of God.
Through these few verses we see a valuable lesson being taught to us. A basic outline of the ministry of a disciple of Christ is being drawn out here. Along with Paul as a tent-maker, Aquila and Priscilla would definitely have more reasons to talk about Paul today. Listening to Paul, watching and observing his life and ministry would have been a time of rich learning for them.
Then we see them going along with Paul to Ephesus. Now they not only get to be observers of his ministry but to be a part of the ministry. They get to learn, exercise their gifts and be of service to God along with Paul.
And finally we see them with Apollos. There is no Paul around now. There is no one to look up to or guide them. All the lessons they learned thus far, they would have to apply it in this their ministry with Apollos. What a moment it would have been!
Who are the Pauls in our lives today we can look up to? It’s important to note that months were spent with learning with Paul. Much of our early lives is spend learning from the lives and testimonies of different people and hand in hand learning with them. Then comes those years of life where we need to apply all those things we’ve learnt; a God-given specific individual ministry that we got to strive in one day. And what a blessing it would be for us to receive a testimony like that which Aquila and Priscilla received from Paul and the churches of the Gentiles!
